(Submitted Photo/Beardy's & Okemasis Cree Nation)

By Derek Craddock

HUB OF THE COMMUNITY

Sask. First Nation makes huge investment to renovate community arena

Oct 6, 2023 | 6:00 AM

It’s considered the hub of its community, which is why a Saskatchewan First Nation is putting a major investment into its local arena.

Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation, southwest of Prince Albert, announced it was investing more than $333,000 towards improvements for the Willow Cree Memorial Sports Centre.

Funding for renovations to the arena comes from the Community Development Wrap-Around Initiative, a multi-year funding campaign of the Government of Canada.

The sports centre has been a staple of the community for years. It currently houses the First Nation’s Minor Hockey program, The Beardy’s Blackhawks, and the Willow Cree Chiefs of the Twin Rivers Hockey League.

In 2012, the community made the top five for Kraft Hockeyville, becoming the first First Nation to advance to the finals. They eventually finished fifth that year and received $25,000 for arena upgrades.

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Community Development Officer with Beardy’s & Okemasis Kevin Seesequasis said this new investment will help give the arena the TLC it desperately needs.

“We’re repainting and redoing parts of the lobby, we’ve repainted the bleachers. All of the dressing rooms are being completely redone,” he said, adding they’re also replacing the heat and air exchange unit, a furnace and heaters for the dressing rooms. “All of the plumbing in the building is being redone. We’re modifying some existing space to be more visitor-friendly.”

When talking about the importance of the arena, Seesequasis said it matters to the First Nation as it is the hub of the community, especially during hockey season.

“Our community is a big hockey community,” he said. “It’s a place where children learn skills, where youth have the opportunity to advance and excel and develop and grow.”

“Our youth will benefit from these upgrades now and into the future,” said Councillor Nicole Gamble.

Workers are doing everything they can to finish the renovations soon with Seesequasis saying some of the projects will continue throughout the hockey season.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com